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Newswatch
Star-Bulletin staff and wire service
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Capt. David Solms, right, gave a Hawaiian warrior spear to Cmdr. Edward Herrington, left, yesterday as he handed off command of the submarine USS Hawaii during a change-of-command ceremony at the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Conn. Solms, who was commander of the Virginia-class attack submarine throughout construction, christening and commissioning, will join the staff of the Navy Commander Submarine Force in Norfolk, Va.
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Central Maui asked to save water
Maui Board of Water Supply officials have declared a drought for Central Maui and requested residents to voluntarily reduce water consumption by 10 percent.
Central Maui customers live in Kahului, Wailuku, Waihee, Maalaea, Paia/Kuau, Puunene, Kihei, Wailea and Makena.
The Maui Department of Water Supply plans to reduce Central Maui's daily water demand to 25 million gallons a day from 28.3 million. The board will reconvene next month to see whether further action is needed to reduce water consumption.
Customers are advised to check for leaks and cut back watering schedules by a day or two to meet the 10 percent reduction.
The department gives out low-water flow fixtures, which will be available today at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens plant sale from 9 a.m. to noon and the Kaahumanu Shopping Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The board also created a 45-day waiver for agricultural customers from the 10 percent mandatory restriction in Upcountry Maui that has been in effect since June 12. The waiver began Thursday.
Trio must pay for illegal dumping
The state fined two companies and an individual on Kauai $18,000 for solid-waste violations, according to Department of Health officials.
Kulana, Kapaa 382 and Dan Diamond disposed of solid waste and operated an open dump at Kulana Condominium on Kauai, according to a department news release issued yesterday.
In May 2006, Health Department investigators uncovered at the site a large truck, four tires and a crushed 55-gallon drum. Steven Chang of the department's Solid Hazardous Waste Branch said a tip from someone involved in the activity led to the investigation.
In addition to the fine, the Health Department has ordered the three to stop improper disposal of solid waste and to perform an assessment of Kulana Condominium for more buried waste. The companies and Diamond have requested a hearing to contest the findings.
UH-Manoa ranks among top 366
The Princeton Review has ranked the University of Hawaii at Manoa as one of the "Best 366 Colleges" in its latest book, which went on sale Monday.
But UH-Manoa can't seem to shake its reputation in student surveys in dubious categories such as "Dorms Like Dungeons" (ranked second), "Long Lines and Red Tape" (third), "Least Happy Students" (fourth), "Professors Get Low Marks" (fifth) and "Election? What Election" (ninth in student political apathy).
The Princeton Review's rankings are based on student surveys. UH-Manoa has ranked low in those categories for several years.
UH-Manoa and Hawaii Pacific University are also listed as among 123 Best Western Colleges and are among America's Best Value Colleges, according to the review.
Hanauma Bay cleanup is Sept. 15
Volunteers are needed to help the Friends of Hanauma Bay with its beach cleanup Sept. 15 from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
The "Get the Drift and Bag It!" cleanup will include the beach, park and Kalanianaole Highway from Keahole Street to Blow Hole. Volunteers should meet at the Hanauma Bay Visitors Center, where they will be given work assignments, gloves and garbage bags. There will be no access fee for volunteers, but residents should bring identification to expedite their entrance.
Call Harvey Shapiro, event coordinator, at 395-1217 for more information. Participants can show up at the center without advance notice.
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Police, Fire, Courts
Star-Bulletin staff
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HONOLULU
Man is arrested for sexual assault
Police arrested a 38-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting two girls, ages 12 and 13.
Last month, one of the girls reported the assaults, which allegedly started in August last year.
Police arrested the suspect Thursday at Koapaka Street near the airport on suspicion of seven counts of third-degree sexual assault.
LEEWARD OAHU
Woman allegedly thrown into ravine
A 44-year-old man turned himself in to police after allegedly throwing his ex-girlfriend down a ravine three months ago.
On May 25 the suspect argued with his 41-year-old ex-girlfriend at Barbers Point. The suspect grabbed the woman by her hair and threw her down a 40-foot ravine, police said.
The woman used her cell phone to call for help and was taken to the Queen's Medical Center for treatment.
The suspect turned himself in to the Kapolei police station Thursday night and was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault.
WEST OAHU
Alleged shoplifter is arrested
Police arrested a 38-year-old woman who was seen allegedly stealing items from a Kapolei business.
Police said a security officer saw the woman insert several items into her shopping cart Tuesday night and walk out of the store without paying.
Police later arrested the woman on suspicion of second-degree theft.
LEEWARD OAHU
Suspect allegedly assaults friend
Police arrested a 45-year-old Waianae man yesterday morning on suspicion of second-degree sexual assault for allegedly sexually assaulting a female friend.
Police said the woman was sleeping at the man's house when he allegedly sexually assaulted her at about 3:30 a.m. yesterday.
Police arrested the man at 4:18 a.m. at his home on suspicion of the assault and on a warrant.
NEIGHBOR ISLANDS
Online scam uses phony IRS claim
Big Island police are warning residents about an Internet scam from someone posing as a representative of the Internal Revenue Service.
A Holualoa man reported to police that he received an e-mail from the IRS claiming he was getting a tax refund. Police said the e-mail asked him to fill out an online tax refund request that sought personal information.
Police determined the message was not from the IRS, and are asking the public to be suspicious of any requests for personal information over the Internet or phone.